_Tuesday._--Madame MELBA as _Juliette!_ Bless her heart, she must have had a very large one, being a decidedly fine girl for her age, which I believe was fifteen; while _Romeo_ was about nineteen, or thereabouts. Mons. ALVAREZ, it is needless to add, looked quite "thereabouts." Both singing and acting in first-rate style. _Jupiter-Plançon_, converted, appears as _Frère Laurent_, which, sounding like "Law-wrong," is a name rather descriptive of this worthy Friar's somewhat underhand proceedings _Friar Law-wrong-Plain-song_ excellent. Full house night before the Derby. If omens go for anything, the gentleman who was making a book in the lobby, and who overheard some one speak of the opera as _Rosebery and Juliette_, might have made a small fortune. The slip was a tip. Some people say, "Why orchestra in 'well' below stage?" But Sir DRURIOLANUS, with experience of general advantage to sound and sight, says, "Shan't touch 'em. 'Leave well alone' is my motto." Exit Sir D. merrily. [Illustration] _Saturday._--Strange case of _Rigoletto & Co._--"Co." being MELBA at her best, BAUERMEISTER and clever JULIA RAVOGLI, with DE LUCIA as the Gay Dook, ANCONA as the Fool, suggestive of the PAGLIACCI mummer with a court appointment. "House full." MAUREL is coming. To _Falstaff_ and _Don Giovani_ he will give a "high Maurel tone." * * * * * SPORT, SPECULATION, AND COUNSEL'S OPINION. So many letters have reached me during the past week begging for my opinion upon the legality of what may be termed sporting financial speculation, that I scarcely apologise for asking the hospitality of the columns of the leading law paper to give my response. No doubt the inquiry has to some extent been fostered by the report that I was seen taking part in the hippodromatic revels of the Derby Day. It is true that I certainly visited Epsom on the occasion in question; but only in a semi-official capacity. I have the honour to be consulting assessor of the Diamond Mine Salting Syndicate, Limited, and in that desirable position have frequently attended the meetings of the directors on occasions, so to speak, outside the Board-room. It is true that my experience as one learned in the law is seldom required at such seasons, still the directors, as fiduciaries, are to be applauded for neglecting no opportunity of availing themselves of my services.